Before the IPL 2025 had to be halted due to the escalating cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were enjoying a fantastic run in the competition. Rajat Patidar and his team will try to maintain the momentum as the tournament is scheduled to restart on May 17. How many of their international players will be available for the remaining league games was still up in the air, though.
All-rounders Liam Livingstone and Romario Shepherd have returned for the last leg of the competition, giving the Bengaluru team a much-needed boost ahead of their matchup with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Despite playing less games this season, Shepherd was incredibly successful against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), scoring a record-breaking fifty off of just 14 balls. Despite having a quiet season, Livingstone is undoubtedly capable of making significant contributions with the bat and the ball.
Although the team greatly benefits from the return of the two daring all-rounders, Shepherd’s availability for the rest of the tournament is uncertain because he will also be included in the West Indies squad for the England series, which begins on May 29. Livingstone, however, will be available for all of the remaining games despite not being included in the squad for that series.
Other important players’ availability
Jacob Bethell is another English player who has joined the RCB team in addition to Livingstone. If RCB advances to the playoffs, the 21-year-old will not be participating because he would be returning to England before the final league game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Due to their lack of international commitments, Australian finisher and England opener Philip Salt will be available for the remainder of the event.
Josh Hazlewood, a top fast bowler, is expected to return, which has given RCB a boost of confidence as they were worried about his availability.
His return date hasn’t been announced yet, though. Lungi Ngidi’s return is still uncertain. Interestingly, Hazlewood and Ngidi are both included in their countries’ teams for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which begins on June 11. The Lankan pacer Nuwan Thusara, who hasn’t played yet this season, is one of the most likely candidates to replace the two.
India
